The Sun. — London, England, 1864-06-25 00:00:00

'E: a HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening, The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack al 5 o'clock. CONVOCATION. Lord HOUGHTON gave notice that on Tuesday nexi he should ask a question regarding the powers of the Con. vocation of the province of Canterbury. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a second time :—Metropoli tan and St. John's-wood Railway—Shrewsbury and Welchpool Railway—Belfast Improvement—Nantwich and Market Drayton Railway—Bristol Port and Channel Docks—London and South Western Railway (North Devon Extension.) The following bills were read a third time and passed : Sunningdale and Cambridge Town Railway, and Argyle shire Roads, .311iNT indirect taxation of this count r y, th e E xc i se on ma l t re quired consideration. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUE agreed to the propriety of the resolution in the abstract, but said it would be unadvisable to pledge the house to iT y particular course of action in dealing with the remis3i L of a specific impost. The arguments he (the Chew:- of the Ex chequer) used in reference to the retention of the malt duty were founded on present circumstances, and had no reference to future legislation on this subject. If a Government had a surplus at its disposal no doubt it should be applied to the remission of duties on excisable articles, but a right of preference should be conceded which would enable the Government and Parliament to make remissions in a direc tion that would be oppressible, but which would not be felt in regard to some particular com modity. The hon. member had contended that this ditty was a mill stone round the neck of the agriculturist, but what was the fact ? Why the duty on spirits was between £4OO and £5OO per cent., and Ireland and Scotland were pressed on more severely than England, because spirits and not beer or ale formed the national drink of the country. With regard to any amount at the future disposal of Government, they could not pledge themselves to its specific application, and he trusted that the house would decline to embarrass itself by any pled ge . Lord J. MANNERS agreed that it was impossible to deny that the malt tax operated injuriously on the producer of barley. This grievance was admitted, and yet, strange to say, there was no attempt made to redress that griev ance. It had been said well by the right honourable member for Oxford (Mr Henley) that beer was to the poor man what wine was to the rich man, and he L contended by analogy that if they reduced the duty on the latter, they should have done the same with the former. (Hear.) He contended that a fallacy lay at the root of a por tion of the right hon. gentleman's theory, namely, that when the duty on beer was reduced it would have the effect of di minishing the consumption of spirits, and therefore injure the finances of the country. The right hon. gentleman quoted statistics in support of his argument. After a few observations by Mr P. URQUHART, Mr NEATE, who had placed upon the paper an amend ment which he was precluded by form from moving, made its allegations the substance of his argument against the resolution—namely, that the owners and occupiers of land, by reason of immunities from taxation, and the comparative lightness of the burdens to which they are subject, are not entitled to any priority of consideration on any review of the taxation. Mr NEWDEGATE briefly supported the resolution, which was negatived upon a division by 166 to 118. Mr D. SEYMOUR called attention to the system pursued of removing paupers and persons under sentence of banishment from Jersey to the seaports of England, especially Southampton ; and asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had received any report upon the subject from the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey Sir G. GREY offered to lay upon the table papers upon the subject. Mr MAGUIRE inquired the intentions of the Attorney- General for Ireland regarding the promised bill for regu lating and reforming the Irish Court of Admiralty. Mr O'HAGAN said a bill was in preparation, and no time would be lost in proceeding with the matter. The house then went into Committee of Supply pro forma, and afterwards into committee upon the Inland Revenue (Stamp Duties) Bill, after a short explanation by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, a clause was added to the bill for the payment of taxes in Scotland by means of Post-office orders. The house then went into committee upon the Chimney Sweepers Regulation Bill, the clauses of which were agreed to. Mr COWPER, in moving the second reading of the Cranbourne-street Bill, explained its object and the finan cial details connected with it. Mr A. SMITH suggested that the bill be referred to i t select committee in order that the facts alleged in th e preamble should be inquired into. The bill was read a second time. The Weighing of Grain (Port of London) Bill passed the cornmitee. COURT OF CHANCERY (IRELAND) BILL. On the order for going into committee upon the Court of Chancery (Ireland) Bill, Mr LONGFIELD moved that the bill be referred to a select committee, stating the rearons why he had not made this motion, of which he had previously given notice, on Tuesday, when he was present. He insisted that a bill like this, containing 192 clauses, which he denounced as a job, designed to increase patronage, could only be properly dealt with in a select committee. In showing how the bill originated, he gave a long and amusing history of the attempts at Irish Chancery reform ; and he undertook to predict that three of the members of the last Royt 1 Com mission would be provided for under the bill, which, in stead of diminishing, would, /19 said, increase cost and ex penditure. The amendment was seconded by Colonel DUNNE. Mr HUNT protested against the couree taken by the promoters of the bill. The decision of the committee on Tuesday showed an unwillingness to proceed further with the bill, and, according to the ordinary practice, it should have been dropped, He suggested that the bill had better be withdrawn. Mr. O'HAGAN reminded the house of the position in which ho stood in reference to this bill, which was introduced in order to carry out the recommendations of a Royal Com mission of the highest authority, and upon which it was the duty of the Government to act. The bill had been fully tr . , e , cussed upon the second reading, and most of its clauses, were clauses in the English bill. If, after the adoptir4l of t h e principle of the bill—which, he repeated, would, reduce ex pense—the house thought fit .to reject th.,„ measure, he should not be responsible and could not I: ie l p it. Mr WHITESIDE, after an ar g r .ment of some length upon the matter of order in relat'An to the past history of the bill, proceeded to discuss '',lo merits of the bill, which was, he said, a crude meas•are, and he objected especially to the system of the chief clerks and to the proposed construc tion of the Court. 7i . here was no evidence, he observed, on the vital question of cost—and he repeated that the cost of the new syster4 would be greater by one-third than the pre sent. It w"Juld be much wiser, in his opinion, to postpone this mee".sure till next session, and in the meantime to sub mit it 'co the Master of the Rolls in Ireland and a Judge of the. Landed Estates Court. Mr LONGFIELD having withdrawn his amendment, Mr W HITESIDE moved to defer the committee for three months, Mr BUTT supported the principle of the bill, expressing his astonishment at the reception it had met with. Mr GEORGE supported the amendment. Upon a division, Mr WHITESIDE'S amendment was ne gatived by 51 to 49. Mr VANCE thought that, considering the narrow ma jority, another opportunity should be given to the house to determine whether it should go into committee upon the bill. He moved that the debate be adjourned. After a short discussion, upon a division, this motion was negatived by 56 to 51. Mr COLLINS moved that the house do adjourn. The discussion was renewed, and ultimately the motion for adjournment was negatived by 56 to 53. The adjournment of the debate was then moved by Mr. LYGON. Lord PALMERSTON assented, and the debate was accordingly adjourned. The other orders of the day were then proceeded with, and the house adjourned at 1 o'clock. THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.—The dual weekly meeting of this Board was held yesterday at t i , l ' h 6 offices in Sp r i ng - gar d ens—the chairman, Mr J. cameos'w presiding. Th e fi rst i mportant business which afore the Board was to consider tenders which had been mods to execute the eastern portion of the Northern Low Level Sewer. There was a short di scuss i on as to the the co n t rac t s i n public, but it was agreed o pened. They wer e as f o ll ows :— M essrs. T. Brassey and Co., £ 26B,ooo—Mr T. Pearson, £265,500 tphoelyicysh ofo should b il e tnli Mr A. W. Ritson (the contractor for the second portion of the Thames Embankment) , 4337.499—Mr G. F urness (th e t the Th ames E m b an k ment), 259,000—Mr W. Moxon, contractor for the first porti on 2 47,840 —M r W . D eth i ck, L233,ooo—Messrs Thorn & C 04., £309 £,. W.Webster, tenders should be con fi2d2eore,odoOin. co l ni t niwiatsteceanrfritebdetwhantotlei Board When the public were re-admitted, Mr Carpmael . brou g h t up a report from the committee, recommending that U r Webster's (the lowest) tender should be taken, and, l a moving that this expressed the report should be adopted, Mr CarP . Mael Board's satisfaction with the works which Mr Webster had carried out. The motion was agreed to t . tem. co „ . A report was brought up from the Streets' Committee, rec ommend. ing that certain lands should be acquired to form a p ark for Southwark,and the ques ti on was di scusse d with closed doors. It was agreed that the zeport should be adopted, andAbat the finance committee should have the power to negotiate a loan for the purposes of the Act. Several thoroughfares were ordered to be renumbered, with the odd numbers on one side and the even on the other, and the various sub sidiary names in Englefield-road, and Englefield-road west, Islington ; in Middleton-road, Hackney ; in Mayne-street, Bethnal-green, and in the thoroughfare known by the name of Arundel and Albion-street, in Camden-street, az I in Temple-street, of the same parish, were ordered to be abolished, and the thoroughfares called by the first names. A great deal of routine business of no general public im portance was transacted, and the board adjourned. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Pills. Convincing Proofs.—The personal experience of multitudes, extending over the last 30 years, leaves no doubt that this medicine surpassed all others in its purifying and corrective qualities. When any epidemic prevails, Holloway's Pills are the most proper aperient that can be prescribed, because they pain lessly remove all accumulations, without depriving the:suf ferer of healthy constitutional power. The young and deli• cate may,take these pills without difficult, disgust or danger; and they will prove th e b est preservative against smallpox and all eruptive fevers, typhoid, and bilious complaints. This remedy should at once be resorted to when pains in the limbs and loins;giddiness, nausea, and thirst give warn ing of the approach of some Worse than ordinary ailment. SLAVE TRADE. Lord BROUGHAM gave notice that on Tuesday he would call attention and express his high approbation of the course pursued by the Government of Brazil in totally abolishing the slave trade. THE ROYAL ACADEMY. Earl STANHOPE called the attention of the house to the present position of the Royal Academy, and asked what further steps with respect to it were in contemplation by the Government, He took the opportunity of referring at length to the present state of the National Gallery and the Royal Academy, the complaints of artists with re spect to the bad display of their works, and various other subjects, all of which, he said, was occas ioned by the present inadequate space of the existing He regretted the decision the House of Commons had arrived at the other evening, and hoped he should hear some satisfactory explanation from the noble earl, the President of the Council, as to the future intentions of the Government. Lord ST. LEONARDS concurred with the Royal Aca demicians in thinking that it was not desirable to introduce a lay element into the academy. He did not thi n k th at i t would promote the harmonious action of the body. At present they possessed the confidence of the public, and they had deserved it. With regard to the propositions of the commissioners in respect to the associates, he must say that he thought they went too far, an d that they would have the effect of injuriously diminishing the power and privileges of the academicians. He hoped that the Go vernment would consider well before they imposed upon the Royal Academy any conditions which were unacceptable to that body. Lord TAUNTON said that the one great boon that the Government could :confer upon the Royal Academy, and upon the art of the country, was to provide an adequate site for the exhibition of the national pictures, and of those of the Royal Academy. So long as that was done, he cared little whether the Royal Academy was placed in possession of the present building in Trafalgar-square, or were left to erect a new building for itself in the gardens of Burlington House, although he confessed that he should prefer the f , rmer plan. He deprecated Government interference with the constitution and administration of the Royal Academy, and hoped that the adoption of any particular rules would not be imposed upon that body as a condition of their re• ceiving the grant of a site. Lord HOUGHTON said it seemed strange that the Royal Academy, which had done its duty loyally to the country for nearly a hundred years, should be unpopular in any assembly of Englishmen. It certainly seemed to him that there never were censures more unfounded than those which had been passed upon that body. In that house he believed that they were unanimous in desiring that the Academy should contiaae to exist, and to discharge the functions which it had hitherto done. He did not think that any conditions distasteful to them should be forced upon them as a condition of their receiving a site for a build ing. At the same time, he confessed that he was sur prised at the opposition made by the academicians to the reception of a lay element. From such an element the Academy owed its rise; and he believed that its presence in the Academy would be very useful. He thought that the academicians were quite right in objecting to the associates having votes. A substantial difference should be maintained between the two ranks. The Duke of RUTLAND desired to impress upon the Government the necessity of taking immediate steps to pro vide adequate accommodation both for the National Gallery and the Royal Academy. No time ought to be lost in meet ing this great public want. Alter some observations from Lord HARDINGE, Lord OVERSTONE deprecated the Government or Parliament meddling with the details of the Royal Academy. He did not think that any good would arise from the intro duction of a lay element into that body. He trusted that no time would be lost in providing proper accommodation for the National Gallery. He regretted that the House of Commons had rejected the plan for erecting a new National Gallery on the gardens of Burlington House. If that had been carried out we should have had galleries superior to those possessed by any other country in Europe. Earl GRANVILLE said it was impossible not to feel that the Royal Academy was abody of great public utility. It was that conviction which led the Government to appoint the commission which had been presided over by the noble earl opposite. That commission had reported last year, and their report had been sent by the Home Secretary to the Royal Academy. The reply of that body was now under the consideration of the Government. In reply to the noble earl opposite, he had to state that the Government had felt it their duty to bow submissively to the vote of the House of Commons, rejecting the proposition to build a new National Gallery on the gardens of Burlington House. They were now engaged in considering a plan for providing the requisite accommodation in conformity with what seemed to be the wish of the House of Commons, that the National Gallery should remain in Trafalgar-square. He should be sorry to see the Government or Parliament in terfere in the details of the administration of the Royal Academy. Bat, on the other hand, he did not see why, when they were giving that body increased facilities, by the grant of a new site or otherwise, they should not by friendly negotiation, endeavour to obtain the assent of the Academy to such a popularisation of their constitution as would be acceptable to the public and to artists generally. That done, the best way would be to leave the Royal Academy to manage its own affairs. The subject then dropped. In answer to a question from Lord RAVENS WORTH, Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY ascribed the imper fect working of the Act for the suppression of nuisances caused by noxious vapours from certain manufactories tu the short time the law had been in operation. 'rim lordships adjourned at half past 7. ROUSE OP COMMONS—Last E:qening e The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'cl: J ek. PRIVATE BUSINE[6s. F The following bills were read a th',rd time and passed : Fort Glasgow Harbour —South London Market—and Can nock Chase and 'Wolverhampton Railway. POLICE IN ST. JAMES'S PARK. Mr J. HARDY aaked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was the fact that the police are not employed in St. 4amaa's-park as they are in the Green parkand, if and other parka ; -- 50, why that was the case : and, whether frequent complaints have been made to the Home Office of the proceedings whichtake place from w an t of police supervision in St. James's -park? Sir G. GREY said that ever since 1840 the ordinary police had not been employed in the enclosure of St. James's Park, as that Park was under the control of the First Com missioner of Public Works. The park-keepers were sworn, and exercised the functions of the police in the parks, an d he had sot heard of any complaint owing to the a bs ence of the regular police. TERCOLONIAL RAILWAY IN THE NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCES. Mr ADDERLEY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether correspondence had been renewed be tween the North American provinces and the Imperial Government on the subject of their application for assist ance in raising a loan for an intercolonial railway; and, if so, whether Pezliament will be fully informed and consulted before any n - romise is made of an Imperial guarantee. Mr CAAD WELL said he should be happy to lay on the table any papers in possession of Government on the subject, but there had been no new correspondence with Government in reference to the mattar. THE KEARSAGE. Mr CORRY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty would object to send a com petent agent to Cherbourg to examine and report on the mode adopted to strengthen the sides of the Kearsage ' , Rain:4 shot and shell, as described by Captain Semmes in his Letter which appeared in yesterday's Times? Lord C. PAGET said that the vessel was in this coun try in dock, and therefore all information relative to her could be obtained. TRANSIT OF TROOPS TO THE WEST INDIES. Mr DALGLISR asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it was true that the transport which conveys the troops from Cape Coast Castl e to the West Indies is likely t o p ea s through a belt of GOO miles, in which only calms and light winds may be exp ected ;and if the mean li m i t O f the north-east trade wind in August is now considered to be in the 13th degree of north latitude? Lord C. FAGET read a report of the hydrographer of the Roy,tl Navy. _ NAVAL ENSIGNS. Mr HANKEY (in the absence of Mr Crawford) asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any steps bad been taken towards granting the privilege of bearing the blue ensign to merchant vessels commanded and partly manned by officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve. Lord C. PAGET said that in future the blue ensi gn would be allowed to merchant vessels. ARMY SANATORY REGULATIONS. Sir H. VERNEY asked the Uncer Secretary of State for War whether the sanatory regulations for field service, issued by the Secretary of State, were obeyed before the army took the field for the Ashantee war ? The Marquis of HARTINGTON was understood to answer in the affirmative. THE EXCISE ON MALT. On the order for going into committee of hir MORRITT, in an able Speech, moved a resolution to the effect that, in the event of any modification of the THE SUN, _LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 25, 1864. DENMARK, (From the Times Special Correspondent.) COPENHAGEN, June 21. Yesterday was a day of great anxiety for Copena hagen, a day which might have turned out more fatal for Denmark than either the abandonment of the Dannewerk or the fall of Dybbol. You are aware that on Wednesday last the Danish Minister at the Court of St. Petersburg, Baron Otto von Plessen, a Holsteiner, and the brother of one of the great leaders of the Holstein Ritterschaft in the present antiaDanish movement, arrived somewhat unexpectedly at Copenhagen, and was said to be the bearer of a Russian de spatch, intimating the Czar's resolution to take up the cause of Denmark, and to oppose any measure that could be adopted by the London Conference in opposition to the Treaty of 1852 and to the integrity of the Danish Monarchy. The Russian note was afterwards said to have reached Copenhagen, not from St. Petersburg, but from London, and to bear the signature not of Prince Gortschakoff, but of Baron Brunnow. From whatever channel it may have been transmitted, this important document, it was said, was laid by the King before the Council of Ministers on the following day, Thursday. It is added that the King advised that a favourable ear should be given to the Russian proposal; that the Minis ters, more or less unanimously, declared that a personal union of the Duchies with the Danish provinces, by submitting Schleswig as well as Hol stein to the Protectorate of the German Confea deracy, would strike a deathblow to the real in dependence of Denmark ; that it would establish in the country a dualism which would render any Government a sheer impossibility; but that, were it even practicable or advisable, such a step would be so unpopular with the Danes that no Minister could be found willing to append nis name to the treaty. For their own part, the present Ministers declared that upon the King entertaining such de signs they could not remain in office for a moment. The King dismissed his Ministers for that day, adjourning the discussion to the ensuing Monday (yesterday). Yesterday, at 11 a.m., Bishop Monrad saw his Majesty, and again signified his own anci his colleagues' determination to resign sooner than even enter into any deliberation as to the Russian note. The resignation of the Ministers was ac cepted, and the King meditated the formation of a new Cabinet, of which the following gentle men were to be the chief members :—Count Sponnek, who was to be recalled from Greece ; M. Bluhme, who was for some time at the head of the Government, and who is looked upon as the leader of the Conservative party ; and Baron i , nn Plessen, the Danish Minister at St. P`acersburg, bearer of th e R uss i an despatch. 3 o ' clock in the afternoon, ho wever , t h e Kin-5, recalled M. Mon rad, and announ ce d th a t h e tad changed his mind, and was ready to reject - the Russian proposal. Such were the r u ;,,ours that were c i rcu l ate d yes terday about Co-i„enhagen, and which, i n th e ma i n, found heir r atterance in a most mi nu t e an d c i rcum• t stantial narrative in the Dagblad, the organ of the Eide - x-Dane, or ultra-national party. Both that reaper and the Fadreland, the journal of the Scandi. navian sympathisers, commented in no measured terms upon the news thus brought to light, and made the most violent appeal to the most popularpassions. In the evening the Berlinske Tidende, the semi official paper of the Government, flatly denied the whole transaction and stigmatised it as a gross fad, cation. There had never been a word said about the retirement of the Ministers, no dissent whatever between the King and his Council, no scheme of a personal union, no Russian note to that effect. The friends of the Dagblad and Fadrelanddo nut give up the point. They assert that what they stated was the strictest truth ; that the scheme was really entertained by the Court in opposition to the Cabinet, and that it was only abandoned when the King became aware of the danger to which his resolution could not fail to give rise. Had not the Berlinske Tidende so clearly F,gnified that the Ministerial crisis had passed, no :thing, they sat, would have prevented Copenhs:gen from becoming the scene of a revolutionary outbreak last evening. The Danes are apt to I ';de all temper on the mere mention of a Copenhagen mob;" but they aver that, had the F:ing persevered in his course, the whole nation would have risenlike one man. A s it was, the 7, , congratulate themselves that the mere threat brought the King to his senses, and that in War instance " Le peuple a vaincu son Roi." To an impartial and unconcerned stranger all this is inexpressibly painful. In the first place, it is evident that, no matter who the liar may be, an abominable lie was yesterday spoken and written in Denmark; and it is hard for any one who has made himself a voucher for the veracity as well as many other moral qualities of the Danish people, to have to acknowledge that under the influence of strong political animosity the aloes are as apt to prevari cate as their neighbours. In the second place, it is not without regret that one can see even a party of the Danish people ex press so unfavourable an opinion of their Sovereign. I can candidly state that many upright and sound minded persons here do the fullest justice to the private Virtues of the King and the Royal family; that they firmly believe his Majesty to be strongly influenced by the best wishes for the welfare of his country, and deem him utterly incapable of acting otherwise than in the way that he deems most conducive to its real interests. That the King is a thoroughly good King most of the Danes at the present moment firmly hold. But were it otherwise, could the worst faults be imputed to him, the Danes ought to be strongly impressed with the wisdom of that saying—" Que Dieu nous en voye de bons rois, car, quand on les a, it faut les garder tels qu'ils sont." It is the great curse of nations when they withdraw from a contest in which they have unskilfully or unsuccessfully fought, to aggravate the calamities of a foreign war by the excesses of a civil strife. I was and am still disposed to hope for better things from Denmark. "To conquer one's King" is always a poor boast for the most violent parties. The safety of the Danish monarchy can only rest on the most perfect and cordial accord between the throne and the people. In the third place, admitting for a moment that Russia had actually proposed to save Denmark by a scheme of a personal union, and that the King had really entertained such a proposal, it may be lawful to question whether his Majesty thereby may not have contemplated doing the very best that can, under circumstances, be contrived for the welfare of Denmark. The London Conference will soon come to the end of its labours, and within four or five days the Dano-German question may have to be once more deferred to the arbitrament of the sword. All that the Conference had been able to achieve for Denmark was a vague project by which about two-thirds of its territory were to be ceded to the foreign aggressor. Even the scheme for a parti tion of Schleswig foundered against the difficulties to trace a line of demarcation which might prove satisfactory to either party. Had even the line been fixed in obedience to the wishes of the Danieh Plenipotentiaries, had even such a line secured for Denmark the Schlei, the Dannewerke, the Treene, and the Eider, it is impossible not to see that such an arrangement would have accomplished the political, financial, commercial, and naval ruin Of this kingdom. The Danes, the Eider Danes at least, were only anxious abcut their nationality, but although a man li ma not by bread alone, he lives by bread to a great extent, alai the construe tion of an Eider ship canal by the Germans would have struck a very fatal blow to the prosperity of the Sound o f Copenhageno v zd ac o t f a n l o l n D se e n n t m tn ar p k a . rt le i fore the Dan es by their will not say with the whole or part of Schleswig, but even with Holstein.—they ought to think twice and thrice about it, and it i s natural that such an arrangement should cause serious apprehensions to foreign Powers. The Danes hold now a very firm belief that they showed great wisdom in accepting the proposed par tition of Schleswig, because they were sure that no rational line of frontier would ever satisfy the Ger mans : that the latter would thus place them. solves altogether in the wrong, and that the mediating Powers, especially England, would be bound to enter the field in the Danes' behalf upon the inevitable outbreak of now hostilities, Thal on the 26th inst. England and Denmark wi 11 be seen fighting side by side is a matter about which the Eider Danes profess to entertain no doubt whatever. I may have my own opinion about that matter, and shall certainly not speculate as to what might turn out for the benefit of the Danes, were they in the end to succeed in involving all Europe in their quarrel with their German neighbours; but of a certainty, if their hopes were again to be disap pointed, and if they were once more to find them selves alone in the struggle, they may have oc casion to regret that the alleged proposal of Russia for a personal union should be allowed to fall to the ground, or that the King, if really so disposed, had it not in his power to carry on a negotiation on such terms. The safety of Denmark, since 1848, has been rested upon the chances of a thorough conquest of Hol stein. The Danes thought they could only repel the tide of invading Germanism by so nationalising Schleswig that the latter Duchy might be used to hold the former in check and under subjection. Without Holstein it is hardly possible to hold Schleswig ; and without the latter, Denmark here self, we are told, can hardly stand. It remains to be seen whether both territories can be saved for Denmark, either upon the terms of a good understanding aod alliance with Germany, or in sheer despite and defiance of Germany. I believe either combination may be attempted with success, either by f the German introducing the whol e o f D enmark ab a member Conf e d eracy , or b y esta blishing such terms of personal union between the Kingdom and the Duchies, under Russian, Eng• lish, or European guarantees, as would screen Denmark from the encroachments of the Frankfort Diet. Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. The annual meeting of this society took place yesterday, a t wh t e ea s sc i oa n mn t np h or e ue h a n e ec v ne d e s r i a tvh l e a d tt e i t p hl a ei r so t m Rf t e oh n ye t a s al 0 c o l ii eg e t n hyi. at Willis's Rooms, f or t h e purpose of presenting prizes to e p a r p es p i o d in e n t e t d o f f o r t h commencing t u h l d e proceed e h rhro e prc s ere u eies c c doe e nicn s gl s ods f ci, n ek l abut was n a dbs `gales, dt the lt sm, i i the largest room at Willie's was filled an s pecified time, High ness the Prince of hour takAemt beforeho n e gc thoseh a t i chair, e o n the platfe we observed the Archbishop of York, the Marqui is M.P., Sir J. Pa of Salisbury, Sir F. C ross l ey, Bart , fig. Dilke. ' :con, M.P., Sir J. Pakingt on , M.P ., Si r C. e . and ' -out.) Admiral B e l c h er , Li eut- G eneral Knollys, ..etr Wm, Ha wes, one of the vice-presidents of the 9 :eciety. At three o'clock precisely the Prince of Wales, with the punctuality so characteristic of the feigning family, ap peared on the platform, and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers, which his Royal Highness gratefully acknowledged. The Prince having taken the chair, Mr HAwES said it devolved on him, by virtue of the office he held as chairman of the council, to state the object of the meeting, which was honoured by the presence of his Royal Highness and so large a number of the members of the so ciety. For about 100 years the society had endeavoured to remunerate by medals and other tokens of honour those who had endeavoured to advance science,:arts, and commerce. The study of the polite arts had been encouraged among the higher classes of society ; and in the performance of that agreeable duty, other societies having stepped in, this Eociety was now devoting its attention to the promotion of the same objects among the other classes. The society had endea voured to promote commerce by collecting all kinds of pro ducts from various quarters of the globe. In arts, science, and manufactures distinguished individuals would receive prizes which would do credit to themselves and the country. He would now ask the Archbishop of York to introduce those who had during the past year taken prizes in the edu cational department. The Archbishop of YORK. said there were 1,100 candidates last year, and as the competition was open to all comers the greater honour was due to the successful candidates. Much of the success of the society was duo to the fostering care and unvarying interest taken in it by the late Prince Con sort. (Cheers.) Ho had given a prize to the person who for the last three years had taken the largest number of first class certificates. About 34 young gentlemen were then introduced to the Prince of Wales, and received prizes from him for profi ciency, respectively, in arithmetic, book-keeping, algebra, chemistry, mensuration, geometry, animal physiology, conic sections, practical mechanics, magnetism, electricity, astro nomy, botany, agriculture, miningand metallurgy, domestic economy, geography, English history, logic and mental science, English literature, French, German, freehand drawing, geometrical drawing and music. The Prince Consort's prize of 25 guines for having, in the present and three preceding years, obtained the largest number of first class certificates was awarded to Mr. J. Allan. His successful studies come rise logic, English history, English literature, arithmetic, book-keeping, geo graphy, magnetism, electricity, domestic economy, and ani mal physiology, and in each ho took a first class certificate. Tho Marquis of SALISBURY then introduced John Birch, Esq., architect, who was presented withX2s and the society's silver medal, for the best design for a labourer's cottage. There were 107 competitors for this prize. The Swiney Prize, consisting of a silver cup of the value of £lOO, with gold coin in it to the same amount, awarded every fifth year, pursuant to the will of the late Dr Swiney, to the author of the best published treatise on jurisprudence, was awarded to Henry Sumner Maine, LL.D. (late pro fessor of civil law in the University of Cambridge, and now member of the Legislative Council of India), for his work on Ancient Law. The prize, owing to Mr Maine's absence, was presented to his brother. The winners of the Art Workmanship Prizes were next presented. They were 21in number, and their performances ranged over a great variety of ornamental work, modelling in metals, repousse work, carving in ivory, chasing, paint ing, &c. They were presented by Sir F. Crossley, M.P. The society's medal for the discovery of and bringing under the notice of the Society of Arts, the first imported specimens of the balata, a g um f rom t h e S a p o t a M u ll e d, as a substitute for gutta perch a , was presente d to W m . W a lk er , Esq., Colonial Secretary of B r iti s h G u i ana , w h o was intro duced by Mr H. Marsh ; a n d Si r W m. H o l mes , o f B r iti s h Guiana, received a similar rewar d f or th e i n t ro d uc ti on int o the commerce of this country of the balata as a substitute for gutta percha. Mr HAWES said they had now to present the Albert gold medal to a gentleman who had done more to promote arts, manufactures, and commerce than any man of the present day. The medal he had to place in the hands of his Royal Highness would commemorate not only the great services rendered to the public by the gentleman to whom it would be presented, but the benefits conferred on the society by the patronage of the Prince Consort. It was a gold medal executed by Mr Wyon, and the first prize of the kind. He was happy to state that it would be given to Sir Rowland Hill, the author of postal reform. (Cheers.) His system combined three things —penny postage, prepayment, and the charge by weight. It was a great social and political reform, of which he had the undivided honour. The number of letters conveyed by post before his system was 75,000,000, now it was 700,000,000. The weight of letters had increased from 700 tons to 5.000 tons, and the number of books sent by post had increased from 5,000 to 12,000,000 annually, The number of letters passing through the post-office in Manchester alone exceeded that of the whole empire of Rus sia. (Cheers.) 34 British colonies, and 45 foreign states had adopted Sir R. Hill's system, and he (Mr Hawes) be- lieved that that system would be a great instrument in uniting the nations of the earth in the bonds of friendship. (Hear, hear.) Sir R. Hill th en came f orwar d , an d The Prince of W ALES , i n t h e mos t gra cious manner, said he had great ple asure i n present i ng thi s prize to so distin guished a person. The Queen's portrait, which the society also intended to present to Sir Rowland Hill, was not yet completed, but when finished it would be sent to him. Sir R. HILL said he wished to express his thanks for the high honour conferred on him by the award of tho society's medal. Under any circumstances this would confer a high distinction, and demand grateful recognition; but that dis tinction was increased by the consideration that the medal awarded was the first that had been presented by his Royal Highness. This medal was precious Co himeelf (Sir H. Hill) and would be treasured by his family, and in their name as well as his own ho begged to tender to his Royal Highness and the council of the society his most respectful and heart- felt thanks. (Cheers.) - Lord H. LENNOX having briefly proposed a vote of thank s to the Prince of Wales for occupying the chair, His ROYAL HIGHNESS, who was loudly applauded on rising, said—My lords, ladies, and gentlemen, it would be unbecoming in me, after what has fallen from my noble friend, not to say a few words in the way of thanking you. When asked to accept the office of President of this society I felt a difficulty, knowing that I should be an unworthy successor of one whose great object was to encourage arts, manufactures, and commerce. It feel it, however, my duty to do my best, and I shall feel great gratification in being present on any occasion where my presence can ;in any way contribute to tho advantage of the public. (Loud cheers,) I do not think it necessary to say more than wish prosperity to the society. (Cheers.) The proceedings then terminated, and the Prince was Loudly cheered as he ratified. WEST COAST OF AFRICA MAILS.—The Royal mail steamship Athenian sailed today with the mails for tho West Coast of Africa. Persons in debt may obtain instant protection against imprisonment or seizure of their goods, and an entire release from all debts and liaLillties without publicity, by application to Messrs. Marshall, solicitors of the Court of Bankruptcy, Charges under 45 payable by easy instalments. Offices— (established 1830), 12, Hatton-garden. City branch -O. Moor gate-street, Bank.—ADva. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. STOCKBRIDGE RACES.—FRIDAY. The Visitors' Plate (handicap) of 100 . awfl, added to a Sweepstakes of 5 soya each. 1 miles. Mr Payne's Olivia, 3 yrs Bst (J. G r i ms h aw ) 1 Mr W. D a y' s Catch'-em-Alive, 5 yrs, Bst 81b . . (Goater) 2 Sir E. Baker's Hersey filly, 3 yrs, 6st.. (Mordan) 3 Lord Westmoreland's Tattoo, 6 yrs, 7st 71b (S. Adams) 4 Mr Morris's Balham, 6 yrs, Bst (car. Sat 11b)., ..(Judd) 5 Lord Uxbridge's General Hess, aged, Bst ....(French) 0 Betting -2 to 1 agst General Hess, 6to 2 agst Olivia, 100 to 30 agst Catch-'em-Alive, and 6 to 1 agst any other. Tattoo made running at a strong pace, followed by Ge neral Hess and Balham, the Hersey filly, Olivia, and Catch-'em-Alive lying a couple of lengths in their rear. Half-way up the hill Balham headed the General, and as they rounded the Bush-hill he was passed by Catch-'em- Alive and Olivia, who followed the leaders. In the bottom Tattoo gave way, and left the lead with Catch'-em-Alive, who was headed half-way in the distance by Olivia, and beaten cleverly by a length, three lengths between second and third, a bad fourth. General Hess broke down badly, and did not pass the post. A Sweepstakes of 5 soya each, with 30 added; for 2-yr-olds and upwards. Weight for ago, with selling allowances. Halt a mile. 10 subs, Mr Preaton's Damascus, 6 yrs, Bst 21b (£60.) .. (Perry) 1 Lord Uxbridge's Erythia, 4 yrs, 7st 131 b (£6O), Mr Payne' s C o l on i s t; co lt , 2 yrs, fi st 71b (MO) rench) 2 (J. Grimshaw) 3 The following also ran :—Hawkshaw, Peignoir, Perse verance, and Hope. Mordan weighed for Mr W. Day's b. f. Vedetto—Tri bute, 2 'yrs, Est 41b, but on her way to the post she bolted and jumped the ropes, throwing her rider, who fortunately escaped with a severe shaking. Betting-5 to 4 agst Damascus, 100 to 30 agst Erythia, and 10 to 1 agst Peignoir. A slight delay occurred at the post in consequence of the accident, and the restiveness of Peignoir and Perseverance. Immediately the flag was lowered Damascus and Erythia slipped their horses and came on with a commanding lead of the Colonist colt and Hawkshaw into the bottom, where the two favourites Were left to finish the race. Damascus, who essays had the best of it, won in a canter by a length; a dozen lengths separated the second and third—Hawkshaw was fourth, Hope fifth, Perseverance sixth, and Peignoir last. The winner was bought in for 150 guineas, The Troy:Stakes of 50 soya each, h ft, for 2-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b; fillies, Bst 71b, with certain allowances. Bush in. 40 subs. Mr R. Sutton's Gardevisure, Sat 71b (Thomas) 1 Duke of Beaufort's Koanig, Sat 71b (Fordham) 2 Lord Coventry's Tennyson, Bst 71b (J. Adams) 3 The following also ran :—Cordelia, Siberia, Contract, Aline, Shrapnell, and Sydmonton. Betting-9 to 4 agst Gardevisure, 3to 1 age; Tennyson, 100 to 30 agst Kaenig. At the first attempt Mr Marshall lowered his signal when Siberia to insure a pace rushed to the front and came on with a slight lead, followed on the lower side by Sydmon ton and Cordelia, the favourite lying in the centre, with Tennyson, Kcenig, Shrapnel], and Aline on the upper ground. They retained their position to the distance, where the two leaders gave way, and the running was taken up by Tennyson, who, however, was headed in a few strides by Gardevisuro, followed as they neared the enclosure by Koenig, From this point the race was reduced to the three, the favourite having slightly the best of it to the stewards' stand, where Fordham made his effort, but failed to get up, and was beaten, after a fine finish, by a head, Kcenig defeat ing Tennyson by four lengths for second—Cordelia was fourth, and Shrapnel! fifth. The others, who were pulling up as they came past the post, were widely distributed. The Uxbridge Plate (handicap) of 50 sovs, added to a sweep stakes of 10 sovs each, 5 it, for all ages; Bush in. Mr Hodgman's Confederate, 3 yrs, Gst 121 b.... (Morris) 1 Capt IV, H. Cooper's Soapstone, 4 yrs, Bst llb (J. Adams) 2 Capt Christie's Lady Clifden, 6 yrs, Oat 51b (Fordham) 3 Mr T. Hughes's Dolphin, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (French) 4 Mr H. Goater's Creole, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b (Perry) 5 Lord Uxbridge's Tyke, 3 yrs, fist 41b (J. Grimshaw) 6 Mr Night's Nathalie, 3 yrs, Gst 71b (H. Sharp) 7 Betting-6 to 4 agst Lady Clifden, 4to 1 agst Soapstone 6 to 1 agst Dolphin, and 100 to agst Creole, After three failures they got away nearly in a line; Con federate, lying in the centre, made running, with Soap stone, Dolphin, and Lady Clifden on his right, and Creole and Tyke lying up. As they descended the hill into the bottom, Lady Clifden appeared to have somewhat the best of it; but on reaching the distance she was headed by Soapstone, who made his effort at the Stand, but was beaten after a show of a fight by half a length; Lady Clif den finished a bad third. The others were beaten off some distance. The Gentlemen's Derby of 100 sovs, added: to a sweep stakes of 10 says each, for 3-yr-olds and upwards, weight for age; winning penalties and maiden allowance. Two miles. 11 subs. Mr William Day's Joco, 4 yrs, 12st llb (inc 101 b extra) (Mr W. Bevill) 1 Lord Uxbridge's Welbeek, 3 yrs, 195 t.... (Mr Edwards) 2 Marquis of Hastings's Tippler, 4 yrs, list 101 h (i nc 51b ex , ra) Marquis of Hastings's Trumps, 4 yrs, list lb (Mr Wilkinson) 4 • Bettin g —G to 4 egst Tippler, and 3to 1 agst Joco. Joco made the running, followed by Welbeck, the pair as they prcceeded along the hill side being upwards of 50 lengths in advance of their followers. On reaching the mile post Joco was pulled back, and The favourite was indulged with the command, which he retained to the enclosure, where Joco came out and won a fine race by a head. Wel beck defeated Tippler by three lengths for second place, and Trumps was beaten off. The Danebury Nursery Stakes, a free handicap of 10 soya each, 5 fc, with 200 added, for 2 yr-olds. T.Y.C. 20 subs. Mr W. Day's Venus colt, fist 121 b Lord Portsmouth's The Missionary, Tat 101 b (car 7st 111 b) ordham2 Mr E. Br a yl e y' a Th e Star, fist, 131 b (F (Cannon ) 3 The following also ran :—British Queen, Czarina, Love lace, Birague, Cedric, Siberia, Le Mexicain, Sympathy, Gipsy Boy, Gomera, Hypocrite colt, Lop , ear, Lay Sister, Lansdown, and Magic. Betting• --•100 to 30 agst the Venus colt, sto 1 agst Pepper's Ghost, 6 to 1 agst Birague, 100 to 15 agst The Missionary, 10 to 1 agst Czarina, and 20 to 1 each agst Cedric, British Queen, Le Mexicain, The Star, and Magic. The favourite, lying in the centre, made the running, with a clear lead, having as his immediate followers Magic, Lovelace, and The Star, on his left, and Pepper's Ghost, Missionary, Czarina, and Le Mexicain on the lower ground. In these positions they ran nearly in a line to the rails,where they split, leaving the three placed in front. At the stand, Fordham, who had been biding his time, came with a -ush, and got up to the quarters of the favourite, who, however, shot in advance when called upon, Missionary beat The Star by three lengths; Siberia was fourth, Birague fifth, Gomera sixth, and Czarina next, British Queen, who appeared to have got badly off, bringing up the rear. The Westmoreland Plate (handicap), of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each. New mile. Mr J. Lowe's Anglo-Saxon, 3 yrs, 7st 101 b (car 7st 111 b) Mr (Fordham) 1 Crawford's Crotchet horse, 6 yrs, 7 s t Dub EL Mr Cra ven ' s Littl e S avage, 3 yrs, sst ;1b( J. 2 (J. Grixnshaw) 3 The folio w ing a l so ran : — lnnellan, Man at Arms, Raglan, Muezzin, Antoinette, and Jane Shore. Betting-2 to 1 against Anglo-Saxon; sto 2 agst Little Savage; 8 to 1 against the Crochet horse, and 100 to 8 agst Innelan. The Crochet horse took the lead on the lower ground, fol lowed in the centre of the course by Little Savage, the fa vourite and Innellan, Jane Shore lying up, on their extreme left. They ran thus to the enclosure, when Mr Crawford's horse appeared to have the best of it, but in a few strides further Fordham brought up the favourite and won cleverly at last by half a length, three lengths between second and third ; Innellan was fourth, with Man at Arms close up. The others were widely spread, Raglan bringing up the rear. The Portsmouth Plate of 50 sots added to a sweepstakes of 5 soya each, for 2yr olds ; colts, Bat 10lb ; fillies, Bst 71b. The winner to be sold for £lOO. T.Y, C. 15 subs. Marquis of Hastings's Lady Egidia, Bst 7th (Judd) 1 Lord Portsmouth's Velleda colt, Bst 101 b (Wells) 2 Mr W. Day's Sis. to the Gillie, Bat 71b (S Adams) 3 Betting-6 to 4on the Velleda colt, who made play to the enclosure, where Lady Egidia headed him, and won cleverly by a length, a bad third. The winner was bought in for 280 guineas. The Railway Plate of 50 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, for 2yr olds, &c. ; colts, Bst 101 b; fillies and geldings, Bst 71b. Selling allowances. T.Y.C. Mr W. Day's Miss Sellon colt, Bst, £100....(5. Adams) 1 Mr R. Ten Broeck's Forester, Bs , 51b, £2oo..(Fordham) 2 Marquis of Hastings's Lady Egidia, 7tt 111 b, £lOO ( Bowbell, Kin g o f G reece, and Dacula also ran Deacon) 3 Betting-5 to 4 on Miss Sellon colt, 5 to 2 agst Lady Egidia, and 4 to 1 agst King of Greece. The favourite, who got badly off, caught his horse half way in the distance, and won, after a fine race home with Forester, by half a length ; the same distance between the second and third , and a head between the third and fourth. The winner was bought in. The Stewards' Plate of 100 sovs, added to a sweep stake of 10 soya each, h ft, for 3 yr olds and upwards, weight for ago, with maiden allowances. Two miles. 33 subs. Marquis of Hastings' Tippler, 4 yrs, Sat 131b..(Judd) vf.o. Match, £2OO. 50 ft. Bush in. Marquis of Hastings' Lady Egidia, Bst 71b, received fore it from Duke of St. Albans' ill'em-and-Eat'era, Bst 101 b. Match, £3OO. 50 ft. Bush in. Marquis of Hastings' Andromeda, Bst 71b, received for feit from Duke of St. Albans' Super Stay, Bst 101 b. Match, £2OO. 50 ft. Bst 81b each. Bush in. Duke of Beaufort's Chevrette received forfeit from Lord Uxbridge's Fly the Trapper of Aspire. Match, £2OO. 50 ft. Bst 101 b each. Bush in. Marquis of Hastings' The Duke received forfeit from Lord Uxbridge's Mario. LATEST BETTING. NOETAUMBERLAND PLATE. to 1 agtit Caller Ou (taken freely) SPIRIT TEE PUBLIC JOURNALS: TIMES.--After the very large minorities, not to say majorities, whipped up against Government on questions of more or less importance, it is creditable to the sense nf the House that only 118 members were found to support Mr. Morritt's resolution last evening. The House of Commons had - Very properly decided that no Parliament has a right to fetter the judgment of any future Parliament upon a question, all the conditions of which can only be known when the time arriVes for the actual decision. The impro priety of such an anticipation appears at once from the fact, that since the repeal of the Beer Duty, 35 years ago, there has never yet been an occasion on which any number of Conservative members would say we ought to have repealed the Malt Tax or largely reduced it. Of course we say this not for getting the repeal of the paper duty, which, it may be said, was neither a matter of urgency nor of general relief, and cost the revenue as much as the remission of a third of the malt tax would have done. But it so happens that when the paper duty was abolished, not without a vigorous protest from the Lords, the taxes put in competition with it were those on tea and sugar, not that on malt. Mr. Morritt himself confines his own anticipation to the possible day when a surplus of several millions will allow us to remit two millions of indirect taxation. But when that day arrives, malt will not be the only applicant for relief. Spirits, wine, tea, coffee, and sugar will ask to be heard. It is true they must be taken in turn, but the turn of malt has not yet come, and may not come yet for many a day. What was asked, therefore, last night was that the House of Commons should make a pledge which it could only bequeath to its successors—perhaps to its remote posterity. It', too, it be answered that paper forced its way by virtue of a promise long given, and that malt cannot do bettor than follow so good an example by asking a pledge beforehand, then, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer justly observes, this is to admit the injustice and inexpediency of all such pledges. If a great wrong was done by the remission of the paper duty in the face of stronger claims, and that wrong was done through the power of an old pledge, then let us have no such pledges, and let every Parliament be left fully master of its own actions. Nobody has a right to encroach on the just inheritance of his survivors, or to use any office so as to diminish the power and opportunities of his successors in it. Yet this is wha' Mr, Morritt, asked last night, and what toe House or Commons declined. since the utmost that Mr. Morritt could demand was a pledge to be re deemed by some other Parliament, at some distant day, the debate itself could have no more than a purely prospective and hypothetical character. It could only resemble the lucubrations of a young man thinking what he will do with the patrimony of his uncles and cousins and elder brothers, should all happen to die before he does. Such speculations may be amusing, but they are unpractical, and on that account are not so governed by considerations of utility and prudence as when a mat is under a positive obligation to do something with the land he stands on, the house he lives in, or the meney in his pocket. Nobody can apply the same amount of reason to a question which may or may not have to be settled within the next 20 years as to an im mediate emergency. Hence the discussion last night was simply such as might take place at a de bating society or a smoking-room, upon some casual suggestion. Even malt was hardly done justice to, and though its rivals, wine, spirits, and tea, and even eider, made an appearance, they were not pro perly represented. Malt came in its old character, the Sir John Barleycorn of Christmas festivities. To trust his flatterers, he is a most respectable, inoffen sive, healthy, and useful personage. He never makes you drunk ; you can never have too much of his ac quaintance; he will not hurt a bone of your body ; he will never tempt you to exceed the limits of tem perate refreshment. The invention of spirits has always been referred to the most questionable of agencies; wine has never acquired an indisputable moral position ; but malt claims a positive goodness. It expects you to believe that it makes men honest, kind, and wise. In wine there is truth, says the proverb ; but in malt liquor are all the cardinal virtues, and a good many other excellent qualities. There is no chance for England, Ireland, and Scot land, we seem to hear, till every cottager shall either brew his own beer, strong, good, and plenty of it, or be able to buy it cheap and good. Even the Irish, we are told, when they do take to hard work, find a barrel of beer the best companion. The Scotch were once beer-drinkers ; and it was not till they had spoilt their tastes, weakened their digestions, and impaired their faculties by untaxed tea, hardly more than a century ago, that they bad to seek a stronger stimulant in whisky. Only let them h tve untaxed beer, and they will give up the liquid fire that plays such work with Scotch livers and makes Scotch Puritanism an hypocrisy. Such are the comparative qualities of malt liquor and all other stimulating, comforting, tonic, or sedative drinks in the scale of a proposition which only desired to pledge Parliaments yet to be elected, and legislators yet to be born. Such a mode of treat• ing the question—natural as it was under the cir cumstances—can hardly be called serious, and cannot pretend to be conclusive. It remains to be proved whether it is in the power of Parliament to mike malt liquor take the place of its much vilified rivals, even by cheapening it ; and whether, after all, people do not generally choose the stimulant that suits best their constitutions and circumstances. P2ople know by their own feelings what stimulant most immediately and effectually sets them up, composes them, calms the nerves, and puts the vital powers into healthy and harmonious action ; and if habit has much to do with the greater efficacy of one agent as compared with another, so also have diet, occupation, and the state of health. But, however it may steed with other stimulants, we must protest against such a laudification of malt liquor as seems to make it the duty of Parliament to relieve it at once from all share in the national burdens. A sufficient quan tity of strong beer, be it ever so sound, instead of invigorating a man, will render him incapable, and destroy his constitution. It may not make him nervous, like strong tea; it may not make him fight the first corner, like whisky; it may not make him into a Frenchman, as vin ordinaire is supposed to do; but it will make him stupid, sleepy, idle, worth less, and not uniformly peaceable. Oar labourers do their work and retain their strength on very weak potations, Doe do they always do their work better when they can get at stronger beer. The farmer who is proud of his brewing, and who tries to get extra work by larger allowances, is often a terror to his n e i g hb ours an d disappointed in the results. It may be almost laid down as a rule that whatever stimulates above a certain point, which may be assumed to be the standard of healthy existence, weakens in the end. The excitement to the brain relaxes the nerves. Beer only operates by the alcohol in it, and cannot produce effects very different from alcohol diluted with water. We do not say that we should not be glad indeed to see some millions taking an occasional glass of beer more than they do now, but it certainly is an exag geration to extol malt liquor as if it was an object worth a national sacrifice to increase its consump tion. POST,—The Cabinet will meet today to take into its most serious consideration the momentous ques tion which England has presently to answer in the face of Europe, and on Monday next Lord Palmer ston will state to the House of Commons the course of action which, under existing circumstances, her Majesty's Government propose to adopt to maintain and uphold the honour and interests of the Crown and the country. There is naturally great anxiety on this subject. The vast importance of the issue is, however, fully apprehended, and the public impa tience is controlled by an overruling sense of confi dence in the Premier. Nor is it less satisfactory that her Majesty's Government is sustained at such a moment by the assurance that any measures which may be necessary to restore peace on an equitable and permanent basis will receive cordial and con sentaneous support. This sensibly reduces the diffi culty of the situation; and, though it undoubtedly increases the responsibility of the Cabinet, there is happily a mutual good understanding subsisting between the Premier and the country which ren ders th e b ur d en one that can b e b orne w ith upright fidelity. P u bli c op i n i on on t hi s question at tha t it may ia have been somewh a t roug hly formed, bat genuine and fervently en th e same as N e l son We have a very en t e rtained is indisputable. The people thi n k now ma ch some fifty-nine years ago—"W P ower- id, that, no matter how strong th e i r NI fleet, and are not to be held cheap" and they believe, as h© d enemies may be, if they could get at them they would 4, give them such a shakin g as t h ey never yet experienced." This may be said to convey the popular answer to the rather indi screet and taunt ing assumptions of the German papers, and the more reserved, but not less offensive, arrogance of the Prissian Government. At the same time, it i s perfectly understood that the impulsive feelings of a nation must be weighed and filtered in the cauncils of a cabinet. Whatever course England is about to take will not be dictated by passion. This miserable war, which will in a few hours be commenced again, was, we know, instigated as much by fear as by ambition. It was to escape from her internal difficulties that Prussia drew the sword and dragged Austria with her to the brink of a European precipice. A strong Power would have resisted the pressure to which a weak Power yielded. Her Majesty's Government will not be coerced by clamour. Nor will factious threats interfere with the fulfiment of an imperative obli- gation. The Cabinet does not meet this afternoon to calculate its voting power in the House of Com. mons, cr to adopt its policy to any real or sup po6cl poirty exigency. L , rd Poiluieri3len i 6 ••••••.... capable of such contemptible paltering with duty. It is not for us to anticipate the state ment that will be made on Monday, nor to say whether it will or will not be accepted by the house ; but that it will be inconsistent with the' character, or in opposition to the antecedents, of the great statesman who makes it, it is not believed even by those who have the hardihood to contradict the faith and reason of the English people. The Prime Minister's reply to Mr. Disraeli's question on Thursday has, however, been described as apolo getic and deprecatory, and it is assumed that the statement to be made on Monday will be alarming, It is departing from our practice to notice these rude and probably unauthorised assaults, and We only advert to them in this instance because, in the agitation and impatience of the hour, any boldly affirmed rumour obtains a hearing. Such random assertions cannot affect the result, but they 133 contribute to the aggravation of an excitemeut it is wise to endeavour to moderate. Any one whe' thinks before he speaks on this subject must turn; tably come to the conclusion that, as far as Englan d and the English Minister are concerned, there is nothing to be ashamed of, to be afraid of, or to be uncertain about. The protocols of the Conference .. will show that this country has made every afar: to preserve peace, and that surely is not a 'na i l for apology. The Conference, t oo , if it w as propos e * by the Government, was sanctioned by Parliament, and by no perversion of argument can its failure be laid at the door of the B r iti s h C a bi ne t. In Vi nt of fact, very few, we apprehend, ever believed that the Conference would succeed; but it was felt, and the Opposition shared in the feeling, that we ougbt to exhaust all means of obtaining a pacific solution of the pending difficulty. But now, when wh at was from the first to be expected has come to Pa" and the Government have to shape their ourcourse accordingly, it is predicted that their policy will alarm and astonish the Christian and eivilisedt world. It is exceedingly difficult to de af calmly with such language used in such s crisis. We believe, NV however, that, so far fro m causing alarm, the Ministerial statement '', express firmly, but temperately, the sentiments of the country. That we may be compelled to take part in a war we have done our utmost to bring to a conclusion by negotiation, i s pro b a bl e . But 15 England afraid or unprepared for war? Are our ships rotten ? Are our arms rusty ? Do we shriulg from the sound of a trumpet ? Is the spirit of th e nation dead ? A day or two will show how uh' founded these suspicions are, and perhaps also de r ' monstrate the motives which inspired them. IS t : do not imagine that any measures the Governme nt may propose to Parliament in the national interest will reconcile the Opposition to exclusion from office , and for obvious reasons they are now most violently assailing the Premier. But we are satisfied tha t the country will consider its honour before the arc; bition of a party, and that, if the people are called to pronounce their opinion, it will be made manifest that at no period of his long and eventful career was .Lord Palmerston more conspicuously than he now is the Minister of England. COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL—FRIDAY. Thero was a fair attendance to-day of both the to' get into trade, who showed considerable disposition t° get into stock. Wheat met with a brisk demand, chic% speculative, and a good business doing, at an advance of 2 , , per cental upon Tuesday's prices. Flour was also sough! after, and may be quoted fully 6a dearer. Oats and . 05t meal had an improved feeling, and at rather better Prl c . cs. Barley, beans, and peas all held for more money. Indian corn attracted considerable attention, and American ma c sold freely at 29s 3d. STAMFORD-FRIDAY. ----- White wheat, 40s to 428; red, 37s to 40s per '36 stone. Barley, malting, 32s to 345; grinding, 28s to 32s per q r ; Oats, 20s to 24s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 40s to —s re qr. ; new, 38s to —s. LINCOLN White wheat new, 40s:to 42s Red do. 36s to 40s Old white to —s Red do. —s.to —s Barley, malting 32s to 34s FRIDAY. 1 Barley, grinding 26s to 294 Oats, old, .. 24s to 26 3 New.do 20s to 23 3 i Beans. . 375 to 405 1 Beans, new.. 33s to 35$ WAKEFIBI4D—FRIDAY. Tho wheat trade:was fair to-day, at an advance of 10 t 0 2s per qr over Friday's prices. Beans and peas were ra ther dearer. Averages for the weer : Wheat 2,259 qrs., at . 40s 91 Rye — .. —s Chl Barley Oats — —s Od CORK—THURSDAY. The following were the quotations this morning :—J3ed wheat, Ss Od to 8s 10d; white, 8s Od to 9s 8d , barley, 7a hi to Os Od ; oats, Os 6d to Os 8d ; black do., bs ful to 5s Bd. B RISTOL SUGAR-FRIDAY. There has been a healthy feeling in the market this week. Refiners' produce sells steadily at late rates. The demand for rum is limited, and no sales of sufficient magnitude to warrant us in quotii.g them. COAL M emel' or Coal per Ton a! AK .Ii ET • tile close ol the marke, s. d. Eden Main ..16 3 Hastings Hartley ....16 3 fanileld Moor l3 6 Wylam 16 0 0 . d- Walls End. Tiaswc l l .. ,.. 17 f-leugh f r ail 16 9 Kelloe • • ••••1 6 6 South Kelloe. l6 9 , .. 16 0 Byron 1 5 9 Gosforth Braddyll's Hetton ..... 16 ,7 it, 74 ; sold, 59. Walls End. Barton - 1) Hartlepool l7 0 Ships at marke THE OPERATIVES OF AsHTscai-uNDER.LYNE . " At the weekly meeting of the Ashton-under -1 4Y' Board of Guardians yesterday, the Rev. T. Radley presid ing, the following petition was p resen t e d by a deputation °f five men representing the oakum pickers and the men work ing on the roads ;—" Our object in appearing before i °ll this morning on behalf of the men working on the roa d° and the oakum pickers, is-1. To respectfully ask of you i ° be kind enough to allow them the back pay which has bo ll stopped for their not working the extra time required from them last week. 2, That the men may have a proper and d eg : nite understanding from your board what time they have , work, and that there may be no alteration made from t b statement on their cards in this respect. 3d. That, should any of the men give a satisfactory reason for wishing to g o o upon any urgent necessity, they may be allowed to do so r but they wish your Board to direct who shall be the proper person or persons to apply to for that purposet as hitherto they have not known to whom such applicatio n should be made." The deputation having made a vet° statement of their willingness to work, then retired.--;-113° Chairman moved :—" That in consequence of the mista ke ' which seems to have been prevalent with regard t ° ' the numbers of hours and to the time required to be work ed ' and also that a great number of those who did so misunder stand would have worked had it not been for intimidation,' and also that, as the men now have a respeeti lli demeanour, and are desirous to carry out the resolution. of the Board, that the request which they have ma d° this morning, that the back money should be paid to them, shall be acceded to as a matter of grace, but not of right; and the guardians wish to state that this has been with the consent and approval of the inspector."- -333e motion was seconded by Mr Clay, and adopted unani mously,—The deputation were then called in, and th e Chairman, having informed them of the decision of the Board, expressed a hope that from the present time there would be no more trouble, but that the original resolution of the Board requiring the men to work seven hours s day and four days a week, would be carried out.—Mr Corbett also addressed a few words to the deputation. He said the time worked in the Ashton Union was no more than that worked in other unions, so that they could have no ground to compl a i n of of being unjustly trea ted. --The deputation th an k e d the Board for their kindness , assuring them that in consequence of their pay being stopped many families were in very dis tressed circumstances. Births. BERzsFoRD.—On the 22d inst., at The Rectory, Bea nie ' the Hon. Mrs. John Beresford, of a son. BULWER —On the 18th inst. at y at Harlestreet, the wife O f Lieut.-Colo ne l E . G. Bulw . er, C. 8., 23d Fusiliers, of a son. O ' BRIEN,—On the 21st inst., at Belmore, near Bishop's Waltham, the Hun. Mrs. O'Brien, of a son and heir. Marriages. GORDON—GRANT.—On the 23d inst., at Either°, li'en+l Charles Henry William Gordon, Esq., of Newtirober: place, Sussex, to Lucy, only daughter of Colonel E• Grant, R.A., of Southend, Eltham, Kent. SOTHEBY—ADEANE.—On the 23d inst. at St. George' s + Hanover-square, Captain Ed war d S. Sotheby, C. 8 ., Naval A.D.C. to the Queen, second son of the late Ad miral Thomas and Lady Mary Anne Sotheby, to LucY Elizabeth. second surviving daughter of the late Heal John Adeane, Leg., of Babreham, Cambridgeshire, Deaths. BLATCH.—On the 22d inst., at The Rectory House, the Rev. James Blatch, 8.D., formerly Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and for 53 years resident vicar of Basing' stoke, aged 90. GORDON.-0a the 22d inst.. at Paris, after severe sufferiaP of pneumonia, Mr. Ernest C. Fitzroy Gordon, aged 24. LEIGHTON.—On the 21st inst., at Bradford on-Avon► Sarah Catharine, wife of the Rev. Baldwin F. Leighton , and eldest daughter of the late Rev. Sir Rich. Hughe s, Bart., of East Bergnolt, Suffolk, aged 62. MATTHEWS.-0a the 22d inst., Mr. William Matthews/ solicitor, Gloucester, aged 42. SMART.—On the 22d inst., at No. 11, East-crescent, M ar' gate, Mr. James Smart, aged 52. London : Primed and Prblished by IVILLLA.AI ANDREIYS of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN Office No. 112 4 Strand, In the Precinct of the Savoy, ti the Couni of 1.1 l ileue.—b'aturJay, June 25, 1641.